World Cup game a ratings hit in U.S., Jacksonville

The U.S. team’s World Cup tie with Portugal on Sunday was a ratings hit across the country and in Jacksonville.

ESPN said its telecast of the game, which ended 2-2 on a Portugal goal in the final seconds, was the most viewed soccer match ever in the U.S., averaging 18.2 million viewers (another 6.5 million watched on Univision) and a 9.6 rating. That eclipsed the previous high of 17.9 million voters for the 1999 Women’s World Cup final between the U.S. and China.

Jacksonville (8.4 rating) was one of 18 markets to record its highest overnight rating for a World Cup match on ESPN, the network said. Tampa/St. Petersburg (8.3) was also on that list.

Washington D.C. led all markets for the game with a 13.3 rating. Columbus, Ohio (12.6) was second, followed by New York (12.5), Boston (11.5) and Hartford/New Haven, Conn. (11.3). Jacksonville was 15th overall.